What your NIE document looks like and which versions are accepted

Key rules

• NIE number: Your NIE is permanent and does not expire or change, even if you leave Spain or change your status.
• Document validity: A residence card or registration certificate has its own validity, separate from your number.
• Recent copies: Some banks and notaries ask for a NIE certificate issued within the last three months or so.

The number is permanent, the document is not

Your NIE number is permanent. It stays the same even if you leave Spain or your status changes. What changes is the document that shows it. Different people get different papers, and some of them expire.

Which document shows your NIE

Which one you hold depends on who you are and why you are in Spain:

• NIE certificate. A paper A4 sheet with a QR code and a verification code. It is for people who are not residents.
• EU citizen registration certificate. A paper document for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens staying in Spain.
• TIE card. The plastic card issued with a residence permit to non-EU nationals.
• Residence card for family of an EU citizen. The card for relatives of EU citizens.

Your NIE is also written on the resolution that grants you a permit. So if you have that letter, you already have proof of your number.

Which one proves your number

Any of these documents proves your NIE. Certificates are generally accepted, and you do not need a card if you only have to show the number.

A non-resident NIE certificate has no official end date. Even so, some banks and notaries ask for one issued within the last three months or so. If you are asked for a recent one, request a new copy. Your number stays the same.

A residence card or registration certificate is a separate document. It has its own validity and may need renewing. Renewing it does not change your NIE.

What to do

• Keep a copy of whichever document you have, and note your number somewhere safe.
• If a bank or notary rejects an older certificate, ask how recent it must be. Then request a fresh copy.
• If your status changes, for example from visitor to resident, you will get a new document. Keep using the same number.

The documents and questions below show what each version looks like and answer common doubts.

Documents you need

• NIE certificate: a paper A4 document with a QR code and a verification code, for non-residents. Some banks and notaries want one issued within the last three months or so.

• EU citizen registration certificate: a paper document showing your NIE, for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens staying over three months.

• TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero): the card issued with a residence permit to non-EU nationals.

• Residence card for family of an EU citizen: the card issued to relatives of EU citizens, which shows your NIE.

Frequently asked questions

Does my NIE certificate expire?

The certificate has no official validity period. Your number itself is permanent. Some banks and notaries ask for a certificate issued within the last three months or so, so you may need a fresh copy.

Is my residence card the same as my NIE certificate?

No. A residence card or registration certificate is a separate document with its own validity. It shows your NIE, but the number stays the same when the card is renewed or replaced.

Where else will I see my NIE written?

It also appears on the resolution that grants a residence permit. Your number is on it, so it can serve as a record of the number.